Collections : [West Virginia and Regional History Center]

Nitrate negatives of photographs taken by Arch Ellis of Weston, West Virginia, mainly regarding 4-H Camps held at Jackson's Mill. The main subject of the photographs is campers at the various 4-H Camps (Boys, Girls, Farm Women's, and Volunteer) participating in camp activities. These activities include musical performances by campers; metalworking, weaving, hat making, and other arts and crafts activities; swimming, archery and other sports; and dancing, among other activities. Other subjects include camps in other locations, county fairs, a livestock auction, "Mine Safety Day", and portraits, among others. Contains 62 negatives and 2 prints.

Photographs, postcards, engravings, sketches, art tools, correspondence, pamphlets, recipes and newspaper clippings belonging to Blanche Lazzell, a West Virginia born leading American artist of the inter-war years. The collection reflects her development as an artist from her student days at West Virginia University to the end of the Korean War. Addenda include correspondence, genealogy, published material, photos, prints, drawings, news clippings, and mementos of Blanche Lazzell. Addenda topics include Lazzell family history, Blanche's art and artistic influences, and the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). See Historical Note for information on Blanche Lazzell.

Commemorative articles about Tuskegee Institute and its founder, the educator, Booker T. Washington. Also copies of a few articles by this renowned turn of the century leader of Afro-Americans and a copy of his autobiography, Up From Slavery. Also includes photographs of Washington and his family and facsimiles of his passport application and death certificate. This material reflects Washington's philosophy of economic self help for African-Americans.

Research papers of Daisy Neptune documenting primarily Confederate soldiers and veterans from West Virginia. Includes muster roll transcripts (36th VA Infantry. Company A), troop roster transcripts (Wood County, WV soldiers; 20th VA Cavalry), biographies of soldiers, Confederate songs and poem, headstone and medal applications, etc. There are photographs and biographical letter of Confederate veteran Julius C. Frederick. Also includes minutes of the Parkersburg Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (1927-29), among other misc. records of post Civil War CSA organizations.

Lecture notes, clippings, notes, and drafts for A History of European Civilization, Volume 1, and other miscellaneous papers of Jason C. Easton, former professor of history at West Virginia University (WVU). The collection also contains Dr. Easton's correspondence with several former students serving in the military during World War II dating from ca. 1942-1946. Other WWII items include ration books for food, gasoline, and liquor; and two unpublished sound recordings on disc of a radio discussion by J.C. Easton and Clark Ennis regarding the question of which nation the United States should support following World War II, Germany or Russia. There is also an album of photographs, some indentified, of members of the Young family of Charleston, West Virginia, dating from ca. 1860-1890. Addenda to the collection, in two document cases, include Lieutenant Clark Easton's World War I ledger containing class notes and instructional material from an Army Intelligence School, for period 30 September 1918 to 9 November 1918; and a listing of WVU students and graduates killed in World War II. Addenda also include items collected by Easton, including three Civil War documents: 1) payment voucher for Captain John D. Young for work on Bateau No. 16 on the Kanawha River (1962), 2)An eulogy/composition regarding "Stonewall Jackson" by Virginia Military Institute cadet, Samuel Francis Atwill (1863) who was mortally wounded at the Battle of New Market on 15 May 1864, and 3) a three-page narrative by unknown soldier regarding Shenandoah Valley campaign (January to July 1864). There is also a history of Charleston and Kanawha County published in 1911. For photographs related to this collection, go to wvhistoryonview.org and search for this collection's four digit call number (otherwise known as an a&m number).

Correspondence, photos, postcards and memorabilia of a school teacher of White Days Creek and of his wife, Mary Corrothers Zinn. Most of the collection consists of correspondence and photos of Zinn's career in the U. S. Army during World War I. Zinn worked as a math school teacher and as a census taker in the Fetterman District of Taylor County. He spent the war in training at Camp Knox, West Point, KY in Battery E., 70th. Field Artillery Brigade, and he discusses in the letters the daily activities of his unit. There are also photos in uniform and copies of the military records of Earl Zinn and of his grandfather, Sailor Michael Zinn. Sailor Zinn was a member of the 14th. WV Inf. during the Civil War. He was captured and died in the infamous Confederate prison camp in Georgia of Andersonville. There is also a 19th century photo album and loose pictures of the Steele, Arnett & Sanders families of Monongalia County who are related to Mrs. Earl R. Zinn.

The papers of Edward J. Cabbell, an author, poet, editor, and historian documents subjects regarding African-American history in Appalachia, encompassing the colonial period through 1988. The materials include research papers, articles, photographs, clippings, books, and publications such as "Then & Now" and "Black Diamonds". There is also information pertaining to the John Henry legend and includes articles, music references and literature. There are photographs of paintings and sculptures of John Henry, candid images of the John Henry Folk Festivals, Edward J. Cabbell as the director of the John Henry Memorial Foundation and Louis W. Chappell, a West Virginia University professor who compiled a massive collection of Appalachia folklore and music, including John Henry material.

Paper ephemera, including: illustrated letterhead titled "Offices of J.W. Wiles" featuring portrait of J.W. Wiles and photo of the "Wiles Block" building in Morgantown, WV; there is also letterhead for the "Star Glass Company" and "Union Realty and Development Co.," both of Morgantown; illustrated envelopes for the "Hotel Morgan" of Morgantown, "The Waldo" of Clarksburg, and "The Ruffner" of Charleston. Signed calling card of J.W. Wiles. There is an extensive collection of greeting cards, including Valentines. There is also a printed invitation card for a luncheon with President and Mrs. Taft (1912). Addendum of 2019/06/17 includes four greeting cards from the Young family of Morgantown, including two large Valentine cards (including windmill and seesaw graphics; undated), one small Valentine card (undated), and one Christmas card (booklet, "One Christmas Back in Grandfather's Time"; 1952).

Drafts, research notes and photos for a book by the donor about West Virginians who were prominent in the leadership of the state's coal industry. Great Coal Leaders of West Virginia made no claim to being an exhaustive work, it nonetheless included coal company owners, senior management, and labor leaders renowned for their foresight, boldness, and innovations in the industry. Some names included are: J. L. Beury, S. A. Caperton, F. E. Christopher, H. G. Davis, S. B. Elkins, C. E. Lawall, I. T. Mann, A. R. Miller, E. W. Olgebay, R. E. Salvati, and W. D. Thurmond.

Autograph book (1872-1887) of Jennie Robinson of Clarksburg with inscriptions from her friends. A letter from Martha Perry of Staunton, VA (1 March 1888) to Jennie Robinson of Clarksburg, WV congratulating her on her upcoming wedding. Letters from the Neale family, relatives of Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson. A letter from Thomas Neale of Parkersburg (6 June 1833) to Lewis Maxwell of Lewis County inquiring about Thomas Jackson and his brother. A letter from W. R. Neale at Mossy Creek, TN (23 February 1864) to his uncle mentioning Stonewall Jackson and the Civil War. There is a photo album of 1874 WVU graduate Charles Wesley Lynch of Wheeling, WV including photos of family, classmates and teachers. There is also a 1927-28 WVU schedule of courses, a 1927 WVU music convocation program, a 1928 WVU football scorecard, a facsimile of the (20 August 1773) Maryland Journal and the Baltimore Advertiser, and a 1938 history of Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church of Grafton, WV. See also A&M 3729.